The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has apprehended 22 Nigerians accused of running sextortion schemes for financial gain, a crime wave linked to a disturbing increase in teenage suicides across the United States.
The arrests were part of an international crackdown codenamed “Operation Artemis”, carried out in collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Nigeria, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
According to the FBI, about half of the suspects have been directly connected to victims who took their own lives.
The FBI revealed a sharp 30 percent spike in sextortion-related reports between October 2024 and March 2025, compared to the same period the previous year.
It added that in 2024 alone, its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 54,000 sextortion complaints — a significant jump from 34,000 in 2023.
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“Over the past two years, victims have suffered nearly $65 million in financial losses due to this crime, with more than 20 teenage boys, mostly aged between 14 and 17, dying by suicide.
“Given the alarming rise in these cases, the FBI launched investigations nationwide to provide answers and closure to grieving families,” the agency said.
Investigations by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit revealed a growing pattern pointing to Nigeria as a hotspot for perpetrators, prompting international involvement.
According to the agency, the Nigerian suspects posed as young women on social media, luring teenage boys into sharing explicit images or videos.
“Once the content was obtained, the victims were blackmailed with threats of public exposure unless they paid ransom often through gift cards, mobile money, or cryptocurrency.
“The harassment frequently continued even after payments were made”, FBI noted.
The agency also revealed that one of the suspects was extradited to the U.S. in January to face charges linked to the suicide of a teenager in South Carolina.
“Two others had earlier been extradited in connection with the death of a young man in Pennsylvania. Additional suspects are reportedly awaiting extradition from Nigeria”, it added.
Kash Patel, FBI Director described Operation Artemis as a landmark in the agency’s efforts to protect minors from online predators.
“This operation highlights our unwavering mission to safeguard vulnerable children and pursue those who exploit them — no matter where they are.
“It also underscores the urgent need for global cooperation to confront this growing threat”, Patel said.
The FBI is urging parents and guardians to engage their children in conversations about online safety and remain vigilant about their digital interactions.
